JP2003029327A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera capable of driving a focal distance variable photographic lens to a position in a non-photographing state and a position in a photographing state and appropriately protecting a lens frame by automatically withdrawing the photographic lens at an appropriate time. SOLUTION: In this camera, the non-operation continuing time TC of a camera operating switch is counted in a state where a lens barrel 2 is extended, while the extending length thereof is detected from the focal distance (f) data of the lens barrel 2, and the withdrawing start time Tn of the lens barrel 2 is obtained from the extending length of the lens barrel. When the non-operation continuing time TC attains the withdrawing start time Tn, a zoom motor 14 is driven to withdraw the lens barrel 2 to a collapsing position being in the non-photographing state, and the lens barrel 2 is held in a state where it is protected from an external obstacle.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera having a photographing lens whose focal length can be changed and which can be driven to a storage position or a photographing preparation position and a photographing possible position.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a camera which has a zoom lens barrel whose focal length can be changed and which can be positioned between a retracted position and a photographic possible position, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 1 (1999) -1999.
The retractable camera disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 1-24118 discloses a camera in a case where the shooting operation of the camera is not performed for a predetermined time, that is, when a non-operation state under a shooting enabled state continues for a predetermined time. The lens barrel is automatically stored in the retracted position. The housing of the lens barrel protects the lens barrel from an unexpected external force.

[0003]

However, in the retractable camera disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-24118 mentioned above, the zoom lens barrel extended to the image-capable state continues for a certain period of no operation. The above-mentioned lens barrel is stored in this case. However, the amount of extension of the zoom lens barrel differs depending on the zooming state. If the lens barrel is stored when it is stored when a constant non-operation continuation time continues regardless of the length of the extended amount as in the above-mentioned conventional example, the lens barrel will be carried for a long time in a state of being projected for a very long time. There is a high risk of damaging the cylinder by hitting it against an obstacle. Further, when the amount of protrusion of the lens barrel is extremely small, the risk of damage is small, so that if the lens barrel is retracted within a short time, it will be unnecessarily retracted. Therefore, it may take time to prepare for another shooting, and miss a photo opportunity. In addition, the lens barrel is driven back and forth unnecessarily, which leads to power consumption.

Therefore, in order to protect the zoom lens barrel, based on the zoom value, for example, when a long non-operation duration has elapsed in the wide state and when a short non-operation duration has elapsed in the tele state, the lens mirror It is conceivable to control the cylinder so that it is collapsed.

Generally, the extension length of the lens barrel in the zooming state is short in the wide state and long in the tele state. However, depending on the camera or the lens barrel, the focal length of the lens barrel between the wide end and the tele end and the payout length do not always have a linearly changing relationship. For example, there is one in which the lens barrel length at the wide end is longer than the lens barrel length in the intermediate zoom range. Therefore, just setting the length of the non-operation duration time on the basis of the zoom value as described above does not necessarily ensure proper retraction control.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and in a camera capable of driving a photographing lens having a variable focal length to a non-photographing position and a photographing position, the focal point of the photographing lens Regardless of the relationship between the distance and the extension length of the photographic lens, the above photographic lens is automatically retracted at an appropriate time to provide proper lens frame protection, and it is possible to avoid unnecessarily collapsing to escape the photo opportunity. It is intended to provide a camera that can be used.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera in which a photographing lens whose focal length can be changed is located at a non-photographing position and a photographing possible position. To a position in the non-photographing state and a position in which the photographing is possible, and further, a photographing lens driving means for driving the photographing lens to change the focal length of the photographing lens, and detecting the extension amount of the photographing lens. The feeding amount detecting means, the timing means for timing the non-operation photographing state duration of the camera in the photographing enabled state, and the detection output of the feeding amount detecting means from the start of the non-operation state to start the taking-in of the photographing lens. It has a retraction start time determining means for deciding the retraction start time up to the time, and a control means. And the retraction start time determined by the retraction start time determining means, and when it is determined that the timekeeping output has reached the retraction start time, the photographic lens is retracted to the non-photographing position. The photographing lens driving means controls to drive the photographing lens.

A camera according to a second aspect of the present invention is a camera in which a taking lens whose focal length is changeable is located at a non-photographing position and a photographable state, wherein the taking lens is set to the non-photographing state. And a photographing lens driving means for driving the photographing lens to change a focal length of the photographing lens,
A focal length detecting means for detecting a focal length of the photographing lens, a moving amount determining means for determining a moving amount of the photographing lens based on an output from the focal length detecting means, and a non-operation photographing of the camera in the photographable state. From the timing means for measuring the state duration time and the feeding amount determination means,
It has a retraction start time determination means for determining a retraction start time from the start of the non-operation state to the start of retraction of the photographing lens, and a control means, and the control means measures the time from the time measurement means. The output is compared with the retraction start time determined by the retraction start time determining means, and if it is determined that the timed output has reached the retraction start time, the photographic lens is retracted to the non-photographing position. Therefore, the photographing lens driving means controls the photographing lens to be driven.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the camera according to the first or second aspect, the taking lens has a focal length proportional to a payout length of a lens barrel holding the taking lens. Have a relationship that does not.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a main block configuration diagram of a camera that is a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 (A)-
FIG. 6D is a diagram showing the extended state of the taking lens in each zoom state from the retracted state of the taking lens barrel of the camera. In the following description, the subject side of the camera is the front and the film surface 9 (FIGS. 1 and 2) side is the rear.

The camera 1 according to the present embodiment has a retractable zoom lens barrel (hereinafter referred to as a lens barrel) 2, a power source (battery) 11, and a CPU 12 which is a control means for controlling the entire camera. And a zoom motor 14 as a photographing lens driving means, and a motor driver 1 for the zoom motor
3, a main switch 17, a two-stage switch (1st switch, 2nd switch) release switch 18, a zoom switch 19, a zoom encoder 20, and
A shutter drive unit, a film feed drive unit, and the like, which are electric control elements for controlling the camera, which are not shown, are included.

The zoom motor 14 is a photographing lens driving means for driving the photographing lens of the lens barrel 2 to a retracted position which is a non-photographing position and a photographing possible position.
Is a photographing lens driving means for continuously driving the photographing lens of the lens barrel 2 from the wide end position to the zoom standard position and the tele end position in order to change the focal length.

The zoom switch 19 is the lens barrel 2
It is an automatic return type two-contact switch for instructing the zoom operation switching to the wide end direction or the tele end direction.

The zoom encoder 20 is a focal length detecting means for detecting the focal length of the photographing lens in the zooming state of the lens barrel 2, and is composed of a potentiometer including a sliding resistance and a sliding contact piece. This potentiometer is arranged at a position where the relative position between the other lens group and the lens frame fixing portion or the camera body fixing portion can be detected, except for the first lens group because of the characteristics of the optical system described later.

The lens barrel 2 is a lens barrel having a five-group (lens group) structure, and includes a fixed frame 2a fixedly supported on the camera body 1a side, and a movable frame supported in the fixed frame 2a. A movable frame 2b composed of a plurality of frame members, a first group lens 3 held in the front part of the movable frame 2b, and a movable frame 2b.
The second lens group 4, the third lens group 5, the fourth lens group 6, and the fifth lens group 7, which are movably supported by a lens frame (not shown), can move back and forth along the optical axis O of the photographing lens. It is arranged. A diaphragm shutter unit 8 is provided between the third group lens 5 and the fourth group lens 6. Each of the lens groups is driven back and forth in the optical axis O direction by the zoom motor 14 via a known cam mechanism (not shown).

In the lens barrel 2, the moving frame 2b
When the main switch 17 is in the OFF state, it is in the non-photographing state together with the photographing lens groups 3 to 7 and is in the retracted position (storage position) P2C stored in the fixed frame 2a. In addition, the movable frame 2b and each photographing lens group are provided with a main switch 17
When the setup operation is performed by turning on, the lens group 3 to 7 is extended from the retracted position P2C to the wide end position P2W which is an initial position at which photography is possible. The initial position at which the image can be captured may be the zoom standard position P2S.

Subsequently, the moving frame 2b is zoomed by the ON operation of the T contact side or the W contact side of the zoom switch 19, and the wide end position P2W on the photographable position and the zoom standard position (zoom intermediate position). (Position) P2S and tele end position P2T are moved forward and backward (FIGS. 2A to 2D).

The lens barrel extension length when the movable frame 2b of the lens barrel 2 is extended to the wide end position P2W, the zoom standard position P2S, and the tele end position P2T (from the front end of the movable frame 2b in the collapsed state). Distance to the tip in each zoom state)
Are the payout lengths LW, LS and LT (Fig. 2).
(B) to (D)).

Further, the wide end focal length when the lens barrel 2 is at the wide end position P2W is fW, and the zoom standard focal length (zoom intermediate focal length) when it is at the zoom standard position P2S is fS. The telephoto end focal length at the end position P2T is fT. The value of the taking lens focal length in each zoom state is, of course, fW <fs <ft.

The relationship between the lens barrel extension length L of the lens barrel 2 and the photographic lens focal length f is shown by the characteristic curve L = F in FIG.
As shown in a (f), the relationship between the lens barrel extension lengths LW, LS, and LT in the wide state, the zoom standard state, and the telephoto state of the lens barrel 2 is LS <LW <LT. That is, due to the configuration of the optical system, the lens barrel extension length LS in the zoom standard state is shorter than the length LW in the wide end state, and the lens barrel extension length L and the focal length f are not in a proportional relationship.

In addition to the control unit for controlling the entire camera 1, the CPU 12 has a no-operation duration counter unit 12a, a feed amount detection unit 12b, and a roll start time determination unit 12.
c, the timing output determination unit 12d, and the lens frame drive control unit 12e
And built in.

The non-operation continuation time counter section 12a is
It is a time measuring means for measuring a non-operation photographing state duration time (hereinafter referred to as a non-operation duration time) TC without operating the operation switch provided in the camera 1. It should be noted that, as the operation switch for interrupting the timing of the non-operation continuation time TC, all the operation parts such as the release switch 18 and the zoom switch 19 and the operation buttons correspond.

The moving-out amount detecting section 12b is a moving-out amount detecting means for obtaining the lens barrel moving-out length L which is the moving amount of the lens barrel 2 based on the output of the zoom encoder 20. The lens barrel extension length L is the function L = shown in FIG.
Fa (f) is applied to obtain the focal length f of the photographing lens. As indicated by the characteristic line of the function L = Fa (f) in FIG. 3, the change in the lens barrel extension length L with respect to the change in the photographing lens focal length f is not in a proportional relationship.

The retraction start time determination unit 12c is means for determining the rebar barrel retraction start time Tn corresponding to the lens barrel retraction length L output from the retraction amount detection unit 12b. The lens barrel retraction start time Tn is the time from the start of the non-operation state to the start of the retraction operation of the lens barrel 2 to the collapsed position P2C. Then, the lens barrel retraction start time Tn is obtained from the lens barrel retraction length L at that time by applying the function Tn = Fb (L) shown in the characteristic line of FIG. Feeding length L
Is longer, the lens barrel retracting start time Tn is set shorter and retracted to the retracted position earlier.

The timed output discriminating section 12d is a timed output discriminating means for comparing and discriminating the non-operation continuation time TC data, which is the timed output of the counter section 12a, with the take-in start time Tn data.

The lens frame drive control section 12e instructs the motor driver 13 to retract the lens frame of the lens barrel 2 to the retracted position based on the output of the timing output determination section 12d.
Give to.

The arithmetic expressions of the function Tn = Fb (L) and the function L = Fa (f) shown in FIG. 3 may be stored in the memory unit of the CPU 12 and calculated at the time of processing. The representative value data of a plurality of variables corresponding to each function and the function value for the variable may be directly stored in the memory unit of the CPU 12, and the data may be called and used during processing.

Next, the setup and automatic retraction operation of the lens barrel 2 in the camera 1 of the present embodiment having the above-mentioned structure will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the main switch 17 is turned on,
The zoom motor 14 is driven under the control of the CPU 12, and the moving frame 2b of the lens barrel 2 and the photographing lens groups 3 to 7 are moved from the retracted position P2C to the wide end position P2W which is the initial position of the photographable position. To do.

If, for example, the zoom switch 19 is turned on while the lens barrel 2 is in a photographing enabled state, the zoom position of the lens barrel 2 is changed from the wide end position P2W to the zoom standard position. The tele end position P2T is reached via P2S. Conversely, if the zoom switch 19 is operated to be turned on to the W contact side, the zoom position of the lens barrel 2 reaches the wide end position P2W from the tele end position P2T via the zoom standard position P2S.

During the zoom operation, the focal length f of the lens barrel 2 is the wide end focal length fW and the zoom standard focal length f.
S, tele end focal length fT. The change data of the focal length f is sent to the CPU via the zoom encoder 20.
It is taken in by the 12 feeding amount detection unit 12b. Therefore, the lens barrel extension lengths LW, LS, and LT, which are the lens barrel extension amounts corresponding to the focal length f in each zoom state, are obtained by the function L = Fa (f) in FIG.

After that, the change data of the lens barrel extension length L is the same as the extension start time determining unit 1 of the CPU 12.
2c, and the retraction start time Tn corresponding to the lens barrel retraction length L is obtained by the function Tn = Fb (L) in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the retraction start times T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 are obtained for the lens barrel retraction lengths LT, LW, Lb, La, LS.

When no operation of the operation switch is continued under the image-capable state, the no-operation duration time counter unit 12a of the CPU 12 measures the no-operation duration time TC. While the operation switches are not operated, the focal length of the lens barrel 2 is naturally constant without change.

In the timed output discriminating unit 12d of the CPU 12, the non-operation duration time TC measured by the non-operation duration time counter unit 12a becomes the retraction start time Tn corresponding to the lens barrel extension length L at that time. When it is determined that the lens barrel 2 has arrived, the lens frame drive controller 12e drives the zoom motor 14 to start the collapsing drive of the lens barrel 2. After the camera 1 is retracted to the retracted position P2C, the camera 1 enters the non-photographing state, and the CPU 12 enters the sleep state (HALT state, stop state).

Next, the photographing sequence of the camera including the above-mentioned automatic retraction operation in the camera 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the shooting sequence of the main routine of the camera 1 controlled by the CPU 12,
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the lens barrel length check of the subroutine called in the main routine.

When the main switch 17 is turned on, the CPU 1
The shooting sequence starts under the control of 2. First, after initialization of the mechanical unit and the control unit in step S1, the zoom motor 14 is driven to set up the lens barrel 2 in step S2, and the lens barrel 2 is moved from the retracted position P2C to a photographing position. It is extended to the wide end position P2W which is the initial position.

After confirming that the main switch 17 is turned on in step S3, the process proceeds to step S4. When the main switch 17 is off, the process proceeds to step S19, the lens barrel 2 is retracted, the non-shooting state is set, and the CPU 12 is set to the sleep state.

In step S4, the non-operation duration time counter section 12a of the CPU 12 starts counting the non-operation duration time TC. In step S5, the on / off state of the first release of the release switch 18 is checked. If it is on, the process jumps to step S15, but if it is off, the process proceeds to step S6, and a lens barrel length check process of a subroutine for checking the extension length of the lens barrel 2 and the no-operation duration TC ( 5) is called.

In the above-mentioned lens barrel length check processing, FIG.
As shown in, first, in step S31, the payout amount detection unit 12b of the CPU 12 obtains the focal length f based on the output of the encoder 20. In step S32, the lens barrel extension amount L is obtained in the extension amount detection unit 12b by applying the function L = Fb (f) with the focal length f obtained in step S31. Furthermore, in step S32,
The retraction start time determination unit 12c determines the retraction start time Tn by applying the function Tn = Fb (L) according to the lens barrel extension amount L. Then, the process proceeds to step S34.

Here, the method of determining the renormalization start time Tn will be specifically described with reference to the characteristic diagram of FIG.
Now, assuming that the focal length of the lens barrel 2 is the focal length fa between the wide end and the zoom standard by the zoom encoder 20, the lens barrel 2 is extended from the characteristic line of the function L = Fa (f) in FIG. La is required for the length. With respect to the extension length La of the lens barrel 2, the function T of FIG.
The renormalization start time T4 is obtained from the characteristic line of n = Fb (L). As shown in FIG. 3, the retraction start time T4 is longer than the retraction start time T2 for the wide end focal length fW and shorter than the renormalization start time T5 for the zoom standard focal length fS.

Now, when proceeding to step S34, the CPU 1
The second timer output discriminating unit 12d discriminates whether or not the non-operation continuation time TC counted in the timer timing processing of the main routine has reached the retraction start time Tn.
If the roll-in start time T has been reached, the process jumps to step S22 of the main routine. If the retraction start time Tn has not been reached, this subroutine is terminated and the process returns to the main routine.

When jumping to step S22,
The lens barrel 2 is retracted to the retracted position P2C, the camera 1 is set in the non-photographing state, and the CPU 12 is set in the sleep state.

When the above subroutine is completed and the process returns to step S7 of the main routine, it is checked whether the wide contact W of the zoom switch 19 has been turned on. If it is on, the process proceeds to step S11, and if it is off. Go to step S8.

When the operation proceeds to step S11, since the operation switch is operated, the no-operation continuation time counter section 12a of the CPU 12 is once reset and the measurement of the no-operation continuation time TC is restarted. In step S12, it is checked whether the focal length of the lens barrel 2 is at the wide limit (wide end). If the wide limit is reached, the process returns to step S5. If the wide limit has not been reached, the process proceeds to step S13 to continue the zooming operation in the wide direction. The focal length data associated with the zoom operation at that time is
It is taken into the CPU 12 via the zoom encoder 20. Then, the process returns to step S7.

When it is determined in step 7 that the wide side contact W is not on, and the process proceeds to step S8, the above-described subroutine of the lens barrel length check process (FIG. 5) is repeated.

Then, in step S9, it is checked whether or not the telescopic contact T of the zoom switch 19 is turned on, and if it is turned on, the process proceeds to step S14. If it is off, the process proceeds to step S10.

When the operation proceeds to step S14, the operation switch has been operated, so the non-operation duration time counter section 12a of the CPU 12 is temporarily reset and the measurement of the non-operation duration time TC is restarted. In step S15, it is checked whether the focal length of the lens barrel 2 is at the tele limit (tele end), and if it reaches the tele limit, step S5.
Return to. If the tele limit has not been reached, step S1
Proceed to step 6 to continue the zooming operation in the tele direction. Focal length data associated with the zoom operation is captured by the CPU 12 via the zoom encoder 20. Then, the process returns to step S7.

When it is determined in step 9 that the telephoto side contact T is not turned on and the process proceeds to step S10, the above-mentioned subroutine of the lens barrel length check process (FIG. 5) is repeated.

In step S5, the release switch 1
When the 1st switch of 8 is detected to be on and jumps to step S17, it is considered that the operation switch has been operated, and the no-operation duration time counter unit 12a of the CPU 12 is once reset and the timing of the no-operation duration time TC is restarted. .

Then, in step S18, the on / off state of the second release of the release switch 18 is checked, and if it is off, the process returns to step S5. If it is on, the process proceeds to step S19, the shutter is opened, and the exposure is executed. In step S20, the film is wound up, and in step S21, the no-operation duration time counter unit 1 of the CPU 12
2a is once reset and the process returns to step S3.

According to the camera 1 of the present embodiment described above, the actual lens barrel extension length is obtained from the focal length data set by the lens barrel 2 in the image-capable state, and the lens barrel extension is performed. The retraction start time corresponding to the length was set. Therefore, when the lens barrel 2 having a longer lens barrel extension length LW at the wide end position than the lens barrel extension length LS at the zoom standard position is applied, the lens barrel 2 is at the wide end position where the extension amount is long. Let's collapse faster. In this way, the actual length of the lens barrel that is extended is detected, and the lens barrel is automatically retracted according to that length, thereby reliably and effectively protecting the lens barrel 2 from mechanical obstacles. be able to. Further, in the zoom standard state in which the extension length of the lens barrel 2 is short, the lens barrel 2 is collapsed when the no-operation continuation time TC is continued for a certain length, so that it is possible to reduce the escape of a shutter chance.

Next, a camera of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The camera 41 of the present embodiment has a configuration as shown in the block configuration of FIG. 6, and has substantially the same configuration as the camera 1 (FIG. 1) of the first embodiment,
As a different part, a pulse encoder 43 is used instead of the potentiometer type zoom encoder 20 of the feeding detection means.
Apply. The same reference numerals are used for the other same components, and only different components and control processing will be described below.

In the camera 41 of this embodiment, the pulse encoder 43 is applied as the focus detecting means for detecting the focal length of the lens barrel 2, and the CPU 12 'is applied as the control means for controlling the camera.

The pulse encoder 43 includes a slit plate 45 fixed to the output shaft of the zoom motor 14, a photo interrupter 44 arranged across the slit plate 45, and a photodiode driving device of the photo interrupter 44. And a switching transistor 46.
When the zoom motor 14 rotates and zooming is executed, the pulse output of the photo interrupter 44 is fetched by the CPU 12 'which is the control means.

The CPU 12 'has a non-operation duration counter 12a in addition to a controller for controlling the entire camera 1.
The feed-out amount detection unit 12b ', the feed-in start time determination unit 12c', the timing output determination unit 12d, and the lens frame drive control unit 12e are incorporated. The CPU 12 'is different from the CPU 12 in the first embodiment in the feed amount detection unit 12b' and the feed start time determination unit 12 described above.
c'is different.

That is, during zooming drive by the zoom motor 14, the pulse output of the photo interrupter 44 is taken in by the above-mentioned amount-of-feed-out detecting section 12b '. Therefore, the pulse is counted by the pulse counter as the zoom pulse count number n.

FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the focal length, the lens barrel extension length, and the extension start time in the camera 41 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the pulse count numbers n1 to n5 correspond to the focal length fW at the wide end, which is the focal length of the taking lens barrel 2, to the focal length fT at the tele end, respectively.

In the first embodiment, when the renormalization start time Tn is obtained, the function L = F of FIG.
The lens barrel extension length L is obtained from the focal length f of the taking lens by a (f), and the retraction start time Tn is obtained from the lens barrel extension length L by the function Tn = Fb (L).

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the retraction start time determining unit 12c 'determines the retraction start time Tn. In that case, the pulse count number n corresponds to the focal length f at each zoom. Because
The renormalization start time Tn is obtained directly from the pulse count number n by using an approximate expression considering the characteristic of the function L = Fa (f).

That is, in the characteristic line region showing the relationship between the pulse count number and the retraction start time in FIG. 7, the pulse count number n3 corresponding to the focal length fS at the zoom standard position where the lens barrel extension length L is the shortest is set. The boundary point is defined as the first area on the wide side of the boundary point and the second area on the tele side. In the first region, the function T rising upwards
n = F1 (n) is applied, and in the second region, the function Tn = F2 (n) that descends to the right is applied to determine the renormalization start time Tn from the pulse count number n.

The data of the pulse count number n3 which gives the boundary point and the functions Tn = F1 (n), Tn = F2
The arithmetic expression (n) is stored in the memory unit of the CPU 12 '. At the time of processing, the arithmetic expression is called to calculate the value of Tn. Further, a plurality of representative values n and Tn of the functions Tn = F1 (n) and Tn = F2 (n) for the representative value n.
It may be configured such that only the value of is stored in the memory unit of the CPU 12 'and is read at the time of processing to obtain the value Tn.

In the camera 41 of this embodiment, when the lens barrel is automatically retracted, the retraction start time Tn determined as described above is applied. Then, as in the case of the camera 1 of the first embodiment, the lens barrel 2 is retracted toward the retracted position P2C when the no-operation continuation time TC coincides with the retraction start time Tn.

The main routine of the photographing sequence of the camera including the above-mentioned automatic retraction operation in the camera 1 of the present embodiment is the same as the photographing sequence of the camera 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The lens barrel length check processing of the subroutine called in steps S6, 8 and 10 of the routine is different, and the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is applied.

However, in the case of the camera 41 of the present embodiment, the focal length data in the zoom operation in steps S13 and S16 of the main routine of FIG. 4 is as follows. The pulse counter of the section 12b 'counts and detects.

The flow chart of the lens barrel length check processing of the above-mentioned subroutine is as shown in FIG.
Then, it is checked whether the pulse count value n indicating the focal length in the current zoom state is in the first region smaller than the pulse count number n3 corresponding to the focal length fS. If it is in the first region, the process proceeds to step S52. If it is not in the first region but in the second region, the process proceeds to step S53.

In step S52, the renormalization start time determining unit 12c 'applies the function Tn = F1 (n) shown in FIG. 7 to determine the renormalization start time Tn from the pulse count value n. In step S53, the renormalization start time determining unit 12c 'applies the function Tn = F2 (n) shown in FIG. 7 to determine the renormalization start time Tn from the pulse count value n.

In step S54, the no-operation duration TC
Has reached the renormalization start time Tn determined above. If the retraction start time Tn has been reached, the process proceeds to step S22 of the main routine, the lens barrel 2 is retracted to the retracted position P2C, the camera 41 is set in the non-photographing state, and the CPU 12 'is set to the sleep state. If the take-in start time Tn has not yet been reached, the process directly returns to the next step of the main routine.

According to the camera 41 of the present embodiment described above, in addition to the same effects as the camera 1 of the first embodiment, the CPU 12 'further includes a pulse encoder 43.
The renormalization start time Tn is directly obtained based on the pulse count number of the pulse output of the. Therefore, the automatic collapsing control of the lens barrel is simplified, and quick processing is possible.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, it is detected in the lens barrel length check processing of the subroutine shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 that the no-operation duration time TC has reached the lens barrel retraction start time Tn. In this case, the lens barrel 2 is controlled so as to be retracted to the retracted position P2C in the non-photographing state.
However, when it is necessary to enter the photographing state again after the retracted position is retracted, the lens barrel 2 is of course extended to the wide end position P2W in the photographing preparation state and then extended to the desired zoom position. Must be,
The time required for that is long.

Therefore, as a modified example of the control method, instead of retracting the lens barrel 2 to the retracted position P2C, a position of a specific focal length other than the retracted position, which can be photographed, for example,
It is also possible to control so as to retract the zoom standard position. In this case, it is possible to quickly shift to the shooting operation without missing a shutter chance, and moreover, it is possible to sufficiently protect the lens barrel from an external obstacle.

[0071]

As described above, in the camera according to the present invention, in the camera capable of driving the photographing lens having a variable focal length to the position in the non-photographing state and the position in the photographing state, the focal length of the photographing lens and the extension of the photographing lens. Irrespective of length
It is possible to protect the lens barrel properly by automatically retracting the above-mentioned taking lens at an appropriate time according to the extension length of the taking lens, and further retracting the taking lens unnecessarily to escape the photo opportunity. It can be avoided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a main block configuration diagram of a camera of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the photographing lens barrel of the camera of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is extended from a retracted state to each zoom state, and FIG. 2A is a collapsed state of the lens barrel. 2B shows a state in which the lens barrel is extended at the wide end, FIG. 2C shows a zoom standard state of the lens barrel, and FIG. 2D shows the state of the lens barrel. The tele end extension state is shown.

FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between a photographing lens focal length, a lens barrel extension length, and an extension start time in the camera of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a shooting sequence which is a main routine in the camera of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a lens barrel length check process of a subroutine called in a main routine of the camera of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a main block configuration diagram of a camera of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between a photographing lens focal length, a lens barrel extension length, a pulse count number, and an extension start time in the camera of the second embodiment of FIG. 6;

8 is a flowchart of a lens barrel length check process of a subroutine called in a main routine of the camera of the second embodiment of FIG. 6 described above.

[Explanation of symbols]

3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ... Photographing lens 12, 12 '... CPU (control means) 12a ... Non-operation duration time counter section (clocking means) 12b, 12b' ... Extension amount detection section (extension amount) Determining means) 12c, 12c '... Renormalization start time determining unit (renormalization start time determining means) 12d ... Time measurement output determining unit (control means) 14 ... Zoom motor (shooting lens driving means) 20 ... Zoom encoder (focus) Distance detecting means 43 ... Pulse encoder (focal length detecting means) Tn ...... Retraction start time P2C ...... Collapse position (position in non-shooting state) P2W ...... Wide end position (position in which shooting is possible) P2S ...... Zoom Standard position (position where shooting is possible) P2T ... Tele end position (position where shooting is possible)

Front page continuation (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G03B 17/02 G03B 17/02 17/12 17/12 Z 17/40 17/40 Z

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A camera for arranging a taking lens whose focal length can be changed between a non-photographing position and a photographing possible position, wherein the photographing lens is arranged in the non-photographing position and the photographing possible position. Further, the photographing lens driving means for driving the photographing lens to change the focal length of the photographing lens, the moving amount detecting means for detecting the moving amount of the photographing lens, and the photographing ready state of the camera. Timing means for timing the duration of the no-operation shooting state, and means for determining the retraction start time from the detection output of the above-mentioned extension amount detection means to the retraction start time from the start of the non-operation state to the start of retraction of the taking lens. And comparing the time counting output from the time measuring means with the retraining start time determined by the retraining start time determining means, When it is determined that the taking-in start time has been reached, in order to bring the taking lens into the non-photographing position, the taking lens driving means controls the taking lens to drive the taking lens. Characteristic camera. 2. A camera for arranging a taking lens whose focal length is changeable between a non-photographing position and a photographing possible position, wherein the photographing lens is arranged in the non-photographing position and the photographing possible position. An output from the photographing lens driving means for driving the photographing lens to change the focal length of the photographing lens, a focal length detecting means for detecting the focal length of the photographing lens, and an output from the focal length detecting means. From the extension amount determining means for determining the extension amount of the photographing lens, the time measuring means for measuring the non-operation photographing state duration of the camera in the photographing enabled state, and the extension amount determining means from the start of the non-operation state. Retraction start time determination means for determining retraction start time until the retraction of the taking lens is started, and the time output from the time measurement means and the above To compare the retraction start time determined by the retraction start time determining means, and when the timed output is determined to have reached the retraction start time, in order to retract the photographing lens to the non-photographing position, A camera comprising: a control unit configured to drive-control the photographing lens by the photographing lens driving unit. 3. The photographing lens according to claim 1, wherein the focal length of the photographing lens is not proportional to the extension length of a lens barrel holding the photographing lens.
Alternatively, the camera described in 2.